Notts Hollinwell: 2026 Access and Booking Update
In the rolling hills of north Nottinghamshire, Hollinwell is one of Britain's finest heathland courses, a Willie Park Jr layout that stretches to 7,250 yards from the championship tees. Here is where Notts Golf Club stands in 2026, and how to play it.
The news: heathland of the very first rank
Notts Golf Club traces its founding to 1887 and its move to Hollinwell to the turn of the century, when Willie Park Jr was commissioned in 1901 to lay out the course that is still enjoyed today. More than a hundred and twenty years on, into 2026, Hollinwell holds its place as one of the United Kingdom's very finest examples of traditional heathland golf, a quiet giant set in the gently rolling hills of north Nottinghamshire and a fixture in the rankings of England's great inland courses.
The headline for 2026 is simply that the test endures. This is a par 72 that measures up to about 7,250 yards from the championship blocks, where the standard scratch score climbs to 76, a rare measure of how stoutly the course defends par. Members play from white tees of around 6,900 yards, while visitors generally play the yellows of over 6,600 yards and may request the whites, so the round can be set to the occasion.
The course, and the access reality
What sets Hollinwell apart is its scale and its purity. The fairways run through heather, silver birch and bracken over land that rises and falls just enough to frame each hole, and the defence lies in the heather, the bunkering and firm, subtly contoured greens rather than in water or trickery. It is heathland golf at its most classical, a course that asks for control off the tee and precise iron play, and it has long hosted leading professional and amateur championships. For the full design and access detail see the Notts Hollinwell course profile.
The access reality is welcoming for the organised visitor. Notts Golf Club takes visitors by prior arrangement, with tee times easiest midweek and best booked well ahead, so the 2026 plan is to contact the club early and favour a weekday date. For the wider region see the England destination guide and our ranking of the best heathland courses in England.
How to play it in 2026
Heathland plays best from late spring through autumn, roughly May to October, when the heather is in colour and the ground is firm and running, though the free draining sand based soil gives Hollinwell a long playable season either side. The practical 2026 plan is to book in advance for a midweek tee time, play from the yellow tees unless your handicap and ambition call for the whites, and allow time to appreciate one of the more peaceful settings in English golf.
Hollinwell suits a Midlands or northern heathland itinerary, pairing naturally with the great inland courses within reach, and the East Midlands sits within easy road and rail distance of much of the country. Green fees have been in the region of 225 pounds in recent seasons and move with the calendar, so treat any quoted figure as indicative for 2026 and always confirm directly before booking.
Our take
Our take is that Hollinwell is one of the most underrated great courses in England, a Willie Park Jr heathland masterpiece that holds its own with the more famous names of Surrey and Yorkshire and rewards the golfer who makes the trip. Its scale, its setting and its classical defence make it a course that lingers.
For 2026 the advice is about planning and tees. Book a midweek date well in advance, choose the tee that fits your game, and build it into a wider tour of England's inland heathland. Do that and you play one of Britain's truly fine courses in relative peace, away from the crowds of the better known venues.
Plan your England heathland golf trip
From Hollinwell to the great inland courses of the Midlands and the south, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge arranges access and builds the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Who designed Hollinwell and when?
Notts Golf Club was established in 1887 and moved to its present home at Hollinwell, where Willie Park Jr was commissioned in 1901 to lay out the course that is still played today. It is one of Britain's finest examples of traditional heathland golf, set in the gently rolling hills of north Nottinghamshire.
How long and how hard is Notts Hollinwell?
Hollinwell is a par 72 that measures up to about 7,250 yards from the championship tees, where the standard scratch score is 76 against the par of 72, a measure of the test. Members play from white tees of about 6,900 yards, while visitors generally play the yellow tees of over 6,600 yards and can request the whites. The defence is heather, silver birch and firm, subtly contoured greens rather than water.
Can visitors play Hollinwell in 2026?
Yes. Notts Golf Club welcomes visitors by prior arrangement, with tee times easiest midweek and best booked in advance. Indicative green fees have been around 225 pounds in recent seasons; treat any figure as indicative for 2026 and always confirm access and fees directly before booking. The heathland plays well from late spring through autumn.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts, design history and access verified June 2026 from club, ranking panel and golf travel sources; conditions, access and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.